Thursday, January 17, 2008

Bird flu (avian influenza)

Introduction

Bird flu has led to the deaths of hundreds of millions of wild and domestic birds and to a small number of human deaths. However Right now, bird flu remains difficult for humans to contract. Most people who have developed symptoms have had close contact with sick birds. In a few cases, bird flu has passed from one person to another.

A major bird flu outbreak could occur in humans if the virus mutates into a form that can spread more easily from person to person this is a cause of great concern. Earlier the flu pandemic of 1918 and 1919 had claimed millions of lives worldwide.

Signs and symptoms

Illness seems to develop within one to five days of exposure to the virus. The exact incubation period for bird flu in humans is not clear. Sometimes the only indication of the disease is a relatively mild eye infection (conjunctivitis). But more often, signs and symptoms of bird flu resemble those of conventional influenza, including:

Fever
Cough
Sore throat
Muscle aches

People who are affected with the most virulent type of virus strain — H5N1 — may develop life-threatening complications, particularly viral pneumonia and acute respiratory distress (ARDS), the most common cause of bird flu-related deaths.

Causes

How humans get bird flu
Migratory waterfowl, and ducks in particular, carry the viruses that cause bird flu. These birds spread the infection to susceptible species, especially domesticated chickens, turkeys and geese, resulting in severe epidemics that sicken and kill large numbers of birds — sometimes in a single day.

Avian viruses generally don't affect humans, but in 1997, an outbreak of bird flu in Hong Kong infected 18 people, six of whom died. Since then, human cases of bird flu have been reported in Asia, Africa, the Pacific, Europe and the Middle East. Most were traced to contact with infected poultry or surfaces contaminated by sick birds.

Direct bird-to-human transmission

Wild birds shed the virus. Infected migratory waterfowl, the natural carriers of bird flu viruses, shed the virus in their droppings, saliva and nasal secretions. Domestic poultry become infected from contact with these birds or with contaminated water, feed or soil. They may also catch the disease the same way humans contract conventional flu — by inhaling the airborne virus. Heat destroys the virus, but it can survive for extended periods in cool temperatures.

Open-air markets, where eggs and birds are often sold in crowded and unsanitary conditions, are hotbeds of infection and spread the disease into the wider community.

H5N1: In the current epidemic, two influenza subtypes have proved especially dangerous — H7N7, which sickened poultry workers in the Netherlands, and H5N1, which has been responsible for the majority of human and avian deaths in Asia. Of these,

H5N1 is of particular concern for several reasons:
Direct transmission. H5N1 became the first known bird flu strain to jump directly from birds to people when it surfaced in Hong Kong in 1997. It has since infected people in many countries. Other strains have caused illness in humans, but none is as severe as H5N1.

Virulence. The virus is especially lethal, killing close to 100 percent of susceptible birds and more than half of infected people. Birds that do survive can shed the virus for at least 10 days, greatly increasing the flu's spread.

Rapid spread. Since 2003, hundreds of millions of birds have died, a loss that's ecologically and economically devastating. It's also alarming from a public health standpoint — widespread infections among birds may lead to more human disease.

H5N1 mutates quickly and is notorious for grabbing large blocks of genetic code from viruses that infect other species. For that reason, it has particular potential to combine with a human flu virus, creating a new viral strain that spreads rapidly from person to person. The emergence of such a virus would mark the beginning of a potentially devastating pandemic.

Risk factors

The greatest risk factor for bird flu seems to be contact with sick birds or with surfaces contaminated by their feathers, saliva or droppings. The World Health Organization (WHO) has confirmed a handful of cases of limited human-to-human transmission of bird flu. But unless the virus begins to spread more easily among people, infected birds or associated material present the greatest hazard.

The pattern of human transmission remains mysterious. Young children seem especially vulnerable to the virus, although some experts note that children are more likely to have contact with sick birds or to play on ground contaminated with droppings. What's more, people of all ages have contracted and died of bird flu. At this point, too few people have been infected to know all the possible risk factors for bird flu.

When to seek medical advice

See your doctor immediately if you develop flu symptoms, including a fever, cough and body aches, and have recently traveled to a part of the world where bird flu occurs. Be sure to let your doctor know when and where you were traveling and whether you visited any farms or open-air markets.

Complications

Most people with bird flu have signs and symptoms of conventional influenza. Some also develop life-threatening complications such as viral pneumonia and acute respiratory distress syndrome, which causes the air sacs in your lungs to fill with fluid, leading to severe breathing difficulties. More than half the people who have contracted bird flu have died.

A few cases of person-to-person transmission have occurred, but they were limited in scale. Still, some health officials fear that it's just a matter of time before avian viruses figure out a way to spread easily among people.

Treatment

Several bird flu vaccines are in the works, and at least one may be available in early 2007. Although that vaccine seems to protect against the H5N1 strain currently circulating, it's not known whether it will be effective against a mutated form.

Prevention

The international effort to prevent the spread of bird flu focuses on the health of both birds and humans. Measures to help control the virus among domestic poultry include:

Culling.

Surveillance programs
Banned birds. Many countries have banned or restricted the importation of birds and hatching eggs from regions with bird flu epidemics.

Avoid domesticated birds. If possible, avoid rural areas, small farms and especially any close contact with domesticated fowl.

Avoid open-air markets. These can be colorful or dreadful, depending on your tolerance level, but no matter how you see them, they're often breeding grounds for disease.

Wash your hands. This is one of the simplest and best ways to prevent infections of all kinds.

Watch your kids. Keep a careful eye on young children, who are likely to put their hands in their mouths and who may not wash thoroughly.

Steer clear of raw eggs. Because eggshells are often contaminated with bird droppings, avoid mayonnaise, hollandaise sauce, ice cream, and any other foods containing raw or undercooked eggs.

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About Me

Dr.Santosh Joshi is a Classical Homeopath and practices Classical
Homeopathy in the city of Mumbai and via his various websites provides
consultation to patients from all over the world.(www.drjoshis.com,www.happylivin.com,www.homeopathywomen.com,www.homeopathyallergies.com) Dr.Joshi is working in
the field of Autism spectrum disorder for the past 13 years and is a
ardent promoter of early intervention,role of Homeopathy,Diet and
therapy in treating Autism.

Dr.Joshi looks into cases of autism ranging from mild-moderate-severe
, with the in-depth analysis and evaluation of every case we have been
able to achieve good results in treating autism.We also are a strong
advocate of the necessity of Dietary intervention and therapies which
are an essential part of the line of treatment.

We at Center for Autism follow a standard protocol for treating our
patients, we also take help of state of art Homeopathic software in
evaluating the autism case histories for the right Homeopathic medicine
which plays a crucial role in treating autism.Homeopathic medicines are
very effective in increasing the eye contact,social behavior,reducing
hyperactivity,addressing the sensory issues and in certain cases the
violent behavior due to obsessive compulsive disorder are handled with
care.

Our Center is focusing and studying various ways in which we can
effectively handle the growing cases of Autism , and also advice gluten
free casein free diet which is helpful.

Glimpses of Experience & Expertise:

12 years of Clinical experience in treating complex diseases with
Homeopathy at his Happy Livin Centre and via online consultation

Ex Director in a wellness company in the field of Homeopathy, Diet
& Nutrition, Yoga & Naturopathy, Ayurveda, Siddha and Unani
medicine. He was also heading the Education in Homeopathy department.

Honorary Speaker at First CME held at Chokshi Auditorium in Tata Memorial Hospital on Application of Tele Medicine in Homeopathy

Honorary Speaker at Birla Matoshree Auditorium on Role of Computers in Homeopathy

Honorary Speaker at AICAR Business School on Role of Tele Medicine in Rural setup, to policy makers and budding entrepreneurs

Won a prize for his paper presentation on Successful management of a
case of Grade 4 Astrocytoma and its Homeopathic management at a all
India Level Homeopathic Case Presentation organized by BEACON foundation

Honorary Speaker at a Convocation Ceremony of Cosmetology at Trinity Academy where he spoke on - His Road to Entrepreneurship

His article on Role of Homeopathy in Autism has been published in
Homeopathy International - The Homeopathic Medical Association U.K.

His article on Don't Stress me - On Examination stress has been published in Hindustan times

Education:

Bachelor of Homoeopathic medicines and surgery (B.H.M.S) from University of Pune in the year 1999.

Training in the Institute of clinical research (ICR) Pune.

Knowledge and Professional Experience:

Dealing with Acute and Chronic cases and its management with Homoeopathic medicines.

Working in the field of treating woman's diseases with
special interest in polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS), Fibroadenoma of
the breast, uterine fibroids. He has worked in the Gynecology and
Obstetrics department at Cantonment hospital Pune

Dealing with respiratory tract diseases with special
interest in Allergies, Bronchial Asthma as well in acute and chronic
bronchitis in children and adults and its management

Running a successful online homeopathic consultancy services since the last 10 years

Treating Diabetes and it complications. He was
associated with the dialysis unit at the Lions tarachand hospital where
he developed the interest of treating Diabetic nephropathy and other
complications of diabetes like non healing ulcers and neuropathy

He had the opportunity to work with senior
dermatologists at the cantonment hospital in pune where he saw many
patients and developed the interest in treating atopic dermatitis, Acne
vulgaris as well as roseacea, Herpes zoster and herpes simplex, Hair
loss and other skin ailments through homeopathy. He has been
successfully treating skin ailments since then

Treating patients suffering from depression and other mental disorders

Treating children who suffer from behavioral disorders and autistic complex disorder

Worked with a senior pediatrician in neonatology and pediatrics at Bhide Hospital

Worked in Lions Tarachand Bappa hospital as a resident
medical officer. Dealt with the various aspects in General surgery,
Gynecology, Neonatology, renal diseases and dialysis

Worked with a Cosmetic surgeon Dr. Sunil Keswani learned the various aspects of burns case management

Worked in the organizing committee in 2 major
International Homoeopathic Conferences in Mumbai Simillimum 2000 and
2001 held at Shanmukhanand Hall Mumbai

Organized 2 seminars during college years and visited rural medical camps and treated patients

Worked in the Organizing Committee of Simillimum 2003 conference at Birla Matushri in Mumbai

Was invited for the W.H.O sponsored seminar on Management of Geriatric diseases and its Homeopathic management